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Juanita Dellinger

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THEOLOGY

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The School of Theology is a comprehensive 22 course program that enables students to start and pursue a Biblical education based on a foundation of Biblical studies. Students will have the opportunity to graduate from the School of

Theology and then continue their education towards a Bachelor of Biblical Studies Degree. The goal of the School of Theology is to equip men and women of God to develop and use their spiritual gifts for the

work of the ministry in the Body of Christ.

School of Theology PresidentPastor Tyrone Holmes

2 Timothy 2:15 “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved,

a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.”

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It’s here... Why wait any longer?

AGN - Pg. 3

By Lindasue Sizuela Mission Statement: “S.G. exists to meet the practical, spiritual, and emotional needs of battered and homeless women and children through the love of Jesus Christ, equipping them to lead a life of faith, hope, and love to reach out to others in His name.” She is battered, homeless, and has nowhere to go. Her frightened children cling to her. She has no friends or family that have not been burned out or fearful for themselves. What happens to a woman in this situation? If you haven’t wondered, you have become complacent in life like so many others who don’t realize that there is a growing number of people in this world that desperately need help. In 1984, Alice Ann Cantelow living in Pinole, California cared about the homeless women and their children on the streets. Alice went out, found them, brought them into her own home, and helped them get on their feet. Alice Ann Cantelow began the outreach that grew in strength and resources now known as Shepherd’s Gate (S.G.). The Brentwood Campus located at 605 Sycamore Avenue, Brentwood, Ca 94513 donated by Signature Properties is a 7,600 square foot home on over an acre of land. Carla and Steve McRee are the Associate and Executive Directors. When I arrived at the residence (S.G.) for my interview with staff member Mearl Santos, I noticed the personal touches and details of the garden. Faith, Hope and Love; An Angel and ‘Bless This House.’ were written on the lovely rocks between the rose bushes. The gracious atrium into the home was fi lled with literature on S.G. Over the doorway, above the entrance of the house is the inscription: “Come to me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest,” Jesus Christ . . . (A dynamic welcome to an already broken soul). Ms. Santos graciously answered all my questions and showed me through the spacious home that cares for up to 30 women and children. One of the fi rst deeply touching scenes was the Nursery; brilliantly painted characters of color surround the walls for the children to enjoy. Two volunteer high school students played with the infants and toddlers while their mothers attended a required Bible Study. Linda S. - How did you become involved with S.G.?

Ms. Santos - Many years ago, I was one of the women here. I had children and nowhere to go. Linda S. - Once they have left, do many women return to S.G. as volunteers? Ms. Santos - Not only do the women come to volunteer but also their children come back to help as well. Linda S. - What does S.G. offer the women other than shelter? Ms. Santos - A 30-day Crises Program, Drug and Alcohol Recovery Courses, Professional Counseling, Parenting Classes, Job and Life-skills Training, Bible Studies, Case Management Services, Education Resources, Childcare, Medical Services, Anger Management and Confl ict Resolution. Linda S. - What do the women take with them when they leave? Ms. Santos - Primarily, they know the Lord when they leave; the women here see fi rsthand that God answers prayer. They learn to cook and clean and they learn how to discipline their children, correctly. Many of the women here come from abusive childhood backgrounds; then they go into marriages with abusive spouses. We teach them to forgive and to make better (healthier) choices for themselves and their children. They learn to trust and they learn to forgive themselves for prior mistakes. Our doors are always open to the women and so is our heart. Linda S. - In your opinion, does the program work? Ms. Santos - We have a 90% success rate. Linda S. - What are the women looking for here at S.G.? Ms. Santos - At fi rst, refuge . . . food and shelter. Linda S. - When it is time, are the women fearful to leave S.G. and go back into society? Ms. Santos – For some yes; then again, some do come back because they weren’t ready to leave. Linda S. - How does S.G. equip women to be overcomers in such a diverse world of today? Ms. Santos - Add all the above with patience, kindness, no condemnation, structure, truth, the Word of God and Jesus Christ. It’s absolutely amazing to see God at work, daily transforming the lives of the women He brings to S.G. Shepherd’s Gate is completely independent of government funding. Their survival depends on your generosity, which is qualifi ed for grant receipts for tax-deductible donations. Send your donations to 1660 Portola Avenue, Livermore, Ca 94551, or www.shepherdsgate.org.

Shepherd’s GateA Blessing To Our Community That Is Priceless

Left to Right - Pastor Jerry Dellinger and Pastor Jerry Hanoum“A true ‘REVIVAL’ is taking place right here in our own backyard.” ~ P. Jerry Hanoum

Over 30 people were baptized dur-ing a recent church service held at the Dellinger ranch in Brentwood, CA.

Shepherd’s Gate

Isaiah 57:15

IT’S HERE IN EAST COUNTY! full story page 24

The men and women used by God bringing

True Revival

For this is what the high and lofty One says— he who lives forever, whose name is holy: "I live in a high and holy place, but also with him who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite.

CONTENTS

SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY - PASTOR TYRONE H. PG. 3 /BILLY GRAHAM - PG. 14 / WOW - WOMEN OF WORTH PG. 16 / WORLD NEWS - PG. 21 / DON HUNTINGTON - PG. 23 / REVIVAL AT THE DELLINGER RANCH - PG. 24 /

Publisher - Pastors Hanoum / Dellinger

Editor-In-Chief - Will Byrns

Copy Editor - Cathy Huffman

Reporters/ColumnistsSusan Holmes, Austin Miles

Saed & Linda Awwad, Priscilla Stan-ley, Andrew Pate, Linda Sizuela

Gina Dacus, Don Kwong & Inga Mork

Distribution Mgr - Jerry GebroskySolano Dist. - Jeanne Byrns

Graphics - Will Byrns

5000 Amaryllis Street Oakley CA 94561

ofc: (925) 625-9570fax: 625-9003

Email: wbyrns@americasgoodnews.com Send releases, letters and reprint requests to the

Email or address above.(c) Copyright 2010 Mountain View Christian

Center. All rights reserved.

- Member - OneNewsNow

Christian Newspaper Assoc.

Good News America covers local, national and world news headlines and stories. The views and opinions

expressed in this literature do not necessarily represent the views and opinions of America’s Good News.

Good NewsPublishing USA

Photography - Tim & Jane Vaughn

Pastor Susan HolmesRevive Me Oh Lord

Pastor Will ByrnsWhat is Revival?

Andrew PateFractured

Rev. Austin Miles A revival started by a cat

Dellinger RanchSmall town- big revival

Sean & Deana HalogA match made in heaven

Resources A helping hand

SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY - PASTOR TYRONE H. PG. 3 /BILLY GRAHAM - PG. 14 / WOW - WOMEN OF WORTH PG. 16 /

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revival

community

WORLD NEWS - PG. 21 / DON HUNTINGTON - PG. 23 / REVIVAL AT THE DELLINGER RANCH - PG. 24 /

4 Shepherd’s GateA shelter like no other

By Susan Holmes

In the busy, fast pace of the times in which we live each of us fully understands what it means to be multi-tasked. We also realize by personal experience the expression of wearing many hats. We can be a wife, mother, grandmother, business woman, friend, counselor, nurse, teacher, cook, referee, taxi-cab driver, gardener, laundry mat, house keeper, etc…! I’m sure you get the picture because you know exactly what I am talking about. Just thinking the truth of this makes me tired! I’m crying out, “Revive Me, Oh Lord!” The days come and go so quickly and it seems that time is racing by faster all of the time as if time itself is preparing for an extraordinary event to happen. Even the earth itself seems to be responding with increased earthquakes, volcanoes erupting, tsunamis, tornados, and other events as if experiencing the pains of childbirth. It sure looks like by the increased intensity of the events that even our earth is crying out for a change to new life saying, “Revive Me, Oh Lord!” There are many scriptures in the Bible, God’s Holy Written Word, which talks about one being “revived or quickened”. To be revived or quickened means to be made alive, to live, to save, to recover or make alive again. It makes me think of giving CPR to someone or rekindling the coals of a fi re. This is what each of us needs from God every second of every day; to be revived by the breath of His presence in the core of our being so that we can live. We need to experience personal revival so that we can be used to revive others around us! Revival is a sovereign, extraordinary work of God through and in behalf of a people who have learned and applied the principles revealed in the Word of God. Revival is sovereign, in that man can’t produce it on his own. It is extraordinary, because it is a special work of God the Holy Spirit. It is an awakening, revitalizing, restoring of God’s people, a strengthening of those things which remain; a return to consciousness or life, that which is revived becomes active and fl ourishing again; the inrush of the Spirit into the body that has threatened to become a corpse; and times of refreshing from the presence of the Lord. My favorite meaning of revival is found in Acts 3:19(Amplifi ed) “So repent (change your mind and purpose); turn around and return to God, that your sins may be erased (blotted out, wiped clean), that times of refreshing (of recovering from the effects of heat, of reviving with fresh air) may come from the presence of the Lord.” The word in the Greek for refreshing here actually means a recovery of breath, to be breathed upon by the Holy Spirit of God. Like when God made man out of dirt in the Garden of Eden and breathed the breath of life into him and he became a living soul. God invented the fi rst mouth to mouth resuscitation and He is still in the business of breathing new life into our burned out lives. This same word is used in John 20:21 & 22 when Jesus breathed on the disciples and they received the Holy Spirit and then He sent them out to preach the gospel. God is in the process of raising up His children, breathing His Holy Spirit on them and fanning into fl ame His anointing so that they will be used as vessels and instruments to bring in a harvest of gold into the Kingdom of God which are souls of people who are dry and thirsty: this is called revival! Women of God, you can be the one heart that God is looking for to be the instrument of power that will bring revival to your homes and families. It always starts with one! We can be the ones that God uses to bring about times of refreshing of the Holy Spirit in our homes and in the lives of our loved ones. Families need love, peace, healing, restoring, safety, security, provision and forgiveness: this is revival! To be this instrument that God will use for your family my Sisters in Christ, you must fi rst be revived by the Holy Spirit. Then He will use you to spread His fi res of refreshing to everyone around you. Remember, it was women who Jesus fi rst appeared to after His resurrection from the dead and instructed them to go tell the disciples that He had risen. You can read about the account of this revival in Matthew 28:1-10. This started a revival in the hearts of these women, then spread to the disciples and is continuing to spread in the hearts of people today. The fi re of God is contagious; it will start in us individually, then spread to those in our homes, our churches and then out to those in our communities. REVIVE ME, OH LORD!!!

“Woman To Woman”“Woman To Woman”REVIVE ME

OH LORD!

AGN - Pg. 8

“Woman To Woman”“Woman To Woman”

oyce Meyer (born on June 4, 1943) is a charismatic Christian author and speaker. Her television and radio programs air in 25 languages in 200 countries, and she has written over 70 books on Christianity. Joyce and her husband Dave have been married since January 7, 1967, have four grown children, and live near St. Louis, Missouri. Her ministry is headquartered in the St. Louis suburb of Fenton, Missouri.

Meyer reports that she was praying intensely while driving to work one morning in 1976 when she said she heard God call her name. She had converted to Christianity at age nine, but her unhappiness drove her deeper into her faith.

Joyce explains her desire to grow in the faith... “I didn’t have any knowledge, didn’t go to church, and I had a lot of problems. I needed somebody to kind of help me along. I think sometimes even people who want to serve God, if they have got so many problems that they don’t think right and they don’t act right and they don’t behave right, they almost need somebody to take them by the hand and help lead them through the early years.”

In 1993, her husband, Dave, suggested that they start a television ministry. Initially airing on superstation WGN-TV in Chicago and BET, her program now called Enjoying Everyday Life, reaches a large audience.

In 2005, Time magazine’s 25 Most Infl uential Evangelicals in America ranked Joyce Meyer as 17th.

Meyer frequently talks about overcoming obstacles and fi nding strength to deal with diffi cult circumstances. She shares her views on how to deal with everyday life situations, often drawing on her own experiences. Meyer speaks candidly and with a sense of humor, sharing with her audience her own shortcomings and taking playful jabs at stereotypical church behavior.

Joyce MEYERwilling vesselsthat inspire true

Revival

Joyce

J

AGN - Pg. 9

In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.

Acts 2:17Photo Courtesy: Trey Ratcliff

AGN - Pg. 11

Then we will not turn away from you; revive us, and we will call on your name.

Psalm 80:18

od loves to pour out His presence on individuals, communities, and nations. And when that happens, everything about life as we know it changes dramatically. “Revival” according to Webster’s dictionary is an act or instance of reviving: the state of being revived: as (a) renewed attention to or interest in something (b) a new presentation or publication of something old (c) (1): a period of renewed religious interest (2): an often highly emotional evangelistic meeting or series of meetings. The world’s definition of revival falls short in explaining the physical and spiritual healing that can take place in a person or community. An emotional meeting? It’s so much more than a meeting or a renewed religious interest. God completely transforms lives along the way. What is it like to experience true revival personally and how would a revival be recognized in your community? Think of it this way… If you lost your breath and someone ministered CPR bringing you back to life, you would experience being revived physically. You would be so thankful for a second chance to live and would also be forever grateful to that person who saved your life, wouldn’t you? You can take that same situation and apply it spiritually to a person that has been dead in their transgressions. In this microwave society that we live in, with everything at our fingertips we could ever want or ask for, self indulgence is becoming increasingly tempting to the impressionable mind. We have to remember that it is our own evil desires that tempt us and not God. God is faithful and always provides a way out; we will never be tempted beyond what we can bear. “When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.” James 1:13-15 But who is righteous? Who does not fall to sin or temptation? We all have fallen, and none of us are without sin. That is why we need Christ as our savior, so we can experience a whole new life. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” 2 Corinthians 5:17 As Christ works in us we develop more patience with others, we experience hope and joy; we learn how to love from the heart and forgive others that may have hurt us. These are just a few of the characteristics that we take on, but in reality our whole way of life is transformed as we strive to become more Christ-like. If this happens in us individually, you can just imagine what it would be like if a whole community experienced revival. Neighborhoods are turned around and kids no longer have to play inside all of the time. Drug abuse and violent crimes drop, along with theft. Our Pastor continues to teach us about the true meaning of Revival. It has to start within us, first and foremost. It can only take place in us personally as God begins to transform us with his Holy Spirit. A ‘True Revival’ in a community takes place when a spark is ignited within a small group of individuals. Then as God fans the flames we watch His Holy Spirit spread like a wild fire to others who hunger for the Lord. Revival is a beautiful thing! Embrace it and know that God’s desire is that none would parish. “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14 “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation” 2 Corinthians 6:2. Has there ever been a spiritual awakening in your own heart? Jesus Christ, the Son of God, died on the cross to pay the penalty for your sins. Christ can “revive” your life! He can bring about a spiritual awakening in your heart and life today! He now offers you forgiveness and the gift of eternal life. It can be done right now… and here’s how you do it. Believe and have faith in Him. Realize that you are a sinner. Repent, come to Christ for forgiveness, and ask Him to be Lord and Savior of your life. Say this with a pure heart and be sincere, then rejoice because God will begin a work in you that will change your life for eternity!

TRUE REVIVAL...

It’s not mandatory to set up a tent in order to have a revival, but so often people associate large tents with a revival. Why is this? When you read through the Bible in the days of Moses there was a portable dwelling place (tent) for the divine presence of the Lord. Since then, throughout history Evangelists have set up tents in order to draw public interest. Billy Graham, in his early days held revival meet-ings in tents saving a multitude of souls. Sometimes taking the church outside of its walls into the community is a great way of reaching those who normally wouldn’t feel comfortable inside the church.

What is it and how do we experience it in our lives and community?

G

AGN - Pg. 13

“The deepest problems of the human race are spiri-tual. They are rooted in man’s refusal to seek God’s way for his life. The problem is the human heart, which God alone can change.” ~Billy Graham

AGN - Pg. 14

Turlock, CA. On May 25th, 1958 Billy Graham spoke at Turlock’s 50th anniversary celebration (at Turlock High School football field).

willing vesselsthat inspire true

Revival William Franklin "Billy" Graham, Jr. (born November 7, 1918) is an American Christian evangelist and an evangelical. As of April 25, 2010, when he met with Barack Obama, he has been a spiritual adviser to twelve United States presidents going back to Harry Truman, and is number seven on Gallup's list of admired people for the 20th century. He is a Southern Baptist and rose to celebrity status as his sermons were broadcast on radio and television. It is said that Graham has preached in person to more people around the world than any other preacher in history. According to his staff, as of 1993 more than 2.5 million people had "stepped forward at his crusades to accept Jesus Christ as their personal Savior". As of 2008, Graham's lifetime audience, including radio and television broadcasts, topped 2.2 billion.

At this month’s Women of Worth conference, we had the pleasure of hearing from guest speaker, Minister Paulette Harper who attends New Hope Church in Pittsburg, California. Right from the beginning, Minister Harper challenged the women when she simply stated, “God is just looking for a believer”. She further declared that this was not just a year of breakthrough, but also a year of release. Minister Harper shared from Genesis 11:31 where Abram’s family found themselves headed for Canaan, but settled in Haran and stopped moving towards the land of promise. As Minister Harper stated, “Let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not (Gal 6:9 KJV). We don’t give up on the promises of God”. As I sat in my seat, I also wondered if in the midst of my own momentum and transition, if my faith and movement aligned with the promise that God has on my life or if I too had become stagnant by settling in a place other than the promised land that God had already showed me. What had led me to give in only to become on the verge of giving up? It was as if God was telling me, “Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth?” (Gal 5:7KJV). While I’m sure that we can all make a list of things that somehow got in the way and prevented us from accomplishing even the simplest of tasks, at the end of the day it doesn’t quite add up when those same things also take you away from the promises of God. I was encouraged as Minister Paulette stated, “There are things we are going to go through, but don’t weaken in your faith.” Often times when issues hit us in what seems to be below the belt, a natural instinct may be to double over as a self defense mechanism. Yet, if we are really going to reach the promises of God, we have to be willing to stand no matter what. For God’s word declares that he is able to keep us from falling (Jude 1:24). When you decide to stand, then you realize that you can walk. Have you ever watched a baby when it fi rst learns to stand then realizes the power of being able to move? You can experience that same power when you are willing to take your fi rst step in God. Abraham was faced with the biggest test of his life and rather than grow weak, we learned that he grew stronger. As Minister Paulette shared, “Abraham stuck it out”. Someone may be facing the biggest challenge and trial of his or her life at this very moment. Yet God’s word and His promises remain true. It is encouraging to read about Abraham’s experience from hundreds of years ago and then fast forward to your own situation because you know the same word God gave Abraham applies to you right now. “God is not a man, that he should lie” (Numbers 23:19 KJV). God is the same yesterday, today and forever more. Do not wait another second. Set aside time right now and get yourself ready before the Lord. Surrender that issue that is holding you back unto the Lord and commit to being set free. No matter how tied you are too it or even if it appears to have power over how you are going to live, surrendering it to God allows you to break free without worrying about what happens next. And just as Moses declared to the Egyptians before they were freed, I declare to you, “Fear not; stand still (fi rm, confi dent, undismayed) and see the salvation of the Lord which He will work for you today.” (Exodus 14:13).

Be Blessed!

Gina Dacus, Author and Creator of the F.U.N. Principle - Finally Understanding Newness 925.565.0494 www.ginadacus.com www.celebratingourstrength.com www.funprinciple.com

WOW wants to

know: Why are you settled

in that place?

Monthly conferences for encouraging

and empowering women!

By Amari ChambersOn a quarterly basis, the fi rst Monday of the month is dedicated to Young Women of Worth (YWOW). Just like

every YWOW, there was food, fellowship, the notorious giveaways, as well as amazing worship and word. However, this month there was a twist on the message. Tonight, instead of going home and watching CSI, Pastor Kim took YWOW on a detailed investigation in her sermon. She reviewed a past grueling crime scene in the bible and posed the question, “When was the fi rst murder?” The women looked around puzzled. We always hear about other murders, but ever wonder about the fi rst? Tonight Pastor Kim was going to give YWOW attendees a crash course in CSI while revealing some key biblical truths.

Pastor Kim took us back to the fi rst murder that took place in the Old Testament with siblings Cain and Abel, sons of Adam and Eve. Based on scripture from Genesis 4:1-8, we learned the roles of Abel and Cain. Abel tended fl ocks and Cain was a tiller of the ground. At a time to bring an offering to the Lord, Cain brought some fruits of the soil and Abel brought his - the fattest portion of his fi rstborn. God was pleased with Abel in the offering, however; he was not pleased with Cain’s. The scene unfolds, as Cain is jealous of his brother’s favor; consequently, he kills his brother and we have the fi rst murder in history.

One hidden clue Pastor Kim presented was that since this happened in the second generation, there is a notion that humans are murderers at heart. The Bible even declares that as Christians we were fi rst sinners, which means it is in our nature and fl esh. Just as Pastor Kim simply put it, “We do wrong because we are wrong.” A key component of CSI work is to gather all background information pertaining to the crime scene. Pastor Kim did so by researching the background on both siblings. The name Cain associates with quantity and “I created”. The name Abel means “futility and breath”.

To get a better understanding, we must understand the law of the time found in Leviticus 2:6 with emphasis on verse six. Cain had brought fruit; it clarifi es why God was not pleased with his offering. Cain’s spirit was not right. Therefore, it resulted in the type of offering he gave to the Lord. This sends YWOW to our fi rst clue: Obedience is not negotiable. Later in the new testament in the book of 1 John 3:10-12 there is specifi c reference to Cain.

Another clue Kim revealed was that “one cannot have a good vertical relationship without a good horizontal relationship,” simply meaning our relationship with God will truly affect everything around us. Take Cain for example, he was not right with God so he took it out on his brother. As Pastor Kim shared, “When your anger is aimed at the wrong people, you begin to feel that what others have is entitled to you. You then began to resent them.”

Thus far, we have covered the background, but now it is time to walk through the actual crime. CSI analysis always uses the handy cause and effect. We clearly have the effect. Abel was killed, but we still need the underlying truth behind his action. God was not pleased with Cain but that was the end. Pastor Kim added that, “Unresolved sin corrupts everything. Sin unresolved leads one even more vulnerable to sin.”

Pastor Kim outlined a fl ow chart to point us to many more clues on Abel’s murder. Cain fi rst resented Abel for his offering which caused him to be angry, that in turn became such a passion known as hatred that resulted in murder. Pastor Kim then informed us that unresolved sin hardens the heart. In Cain’s predicament at each level he succeeded, his heart began to desensitize to sin.

After the murder, God returns to Cain questioning his brother’s whereabouts (Gen. 4:9-10). Pastor Kim put it best when she stated, “Secrets on earth are an open scandal in Heaven!” We always forget God is watching our every move.

After all the evidence is gathered we must end with a summary, conclusion, or in this case, the true message from God.

Primarily, “God’s way is the only acceptable way.” God already has plans for you to prosper. (Jeremiah 29:11) Why go for the opposite? Secondly, “jealousy is a sin that cannot be hidden—release it!” Jealousy is no stranger to women. A comparison between individuals is an act done unconsciously. That is why it is important to take notice and ask God. Lastly, “never leave sin to any confl ict unresolved, especially when it comes to God.” You must address it!

Be blessed!

YWOW GOES CSI: Uncovering the First Homicide Ever!Young Women of Worth

Women of Worth -(Left to Right) Pastor Kim and Shelby Seeley

AGN - Pg. 17

By Andrew Pate The fire for a revival can be ignited with just one spark. One solitary soul; committed to God and filled with the Holy Spirit can kindle a revival the likes of which this nation has never seen before. But that soul can’t be me. I am fractured. You must understand that I see with fractured eyes; I hear with fractured ears. But what is most damaging is that I love with a fractured heart. I’ve taken these imperfections and infused them so tightly with my theology that I know my ways are His ways, and His ways are mine. I have divided my thoughts so I have every aspect covered; even though they contradict each other. I am every division, denomination, and prejudice. I am the Body, and I am fractured. So you see, I am not a worthy vessel for a revival. Unless maybe… That instead of concentrating on how fractured I am, I can remember how complete God is. Instead of judging my brother’s doctrine, I will remember that I was saved by Grace. Maybe if I no longer called myself a Christian, but instead addressed myself by my new identity, a Prince in the Kingdom of God, I would be in a place to be of use to Him. If I am a Prince, and my brother who sits across from me is a Prince, then maybe the old beggar’s a Prince too. I will more likely treat the old man holding the “need help” sign a little differently if I know that he too is royalty. As for my sister who has fallen into sexual sin; I would never treat a princess of the Living God with contempt. I would never talk behind her back, or lay condemnation at her feet. I would welcome her and love her, and remind her that her Father the King is waiting to restore her. How could I judge, when it was only by His grace that I too was set free. If only, in my brokenness, I could remember that the world is not waiting to see my righteousness, but instead they hunger to see God’s righteousness shining through me. They would see that there is a better way. If I could see that even though I’m fractured, there is a mighty God who can make a new creation in me. That if I submit, and let the Holy Spirit work His way through my mind, spirit, soul, and body; the fractures will heal and I will finally stand tall as a humbled and worthy vessel. We all carry the spark of revival in us, but without the power and guidance of the Holy Spirit the fire will be quenched before its flames can reach the hurting. Invite Him in today, and see where His heart will take you. The first step to true revival is a yielding to the Holy Spirit. I invite you to pray this prayer today (Courtesy of Prayers that Avail Much): My Heavenly Father, I am Your child, for I believe in my heart that Jesus has been raised from the dead, and I have confessed Him as my Lord. Jesus said, “How much more shall your Heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him.” I ask You now in the name of Jesus to fill me with the Holy Spirit. I step into the fullness and power that I desire in the name of Jesus. I confess that I am a Spirit-filled Christian. As I yield my vocal organs, I expect to speak in tongues, for the Spirit gives me utterance in the name of Jesus. Praise the Lord! Amen. For your convenience the following is a list of scriptural references for this prayer: John 14:16,7; Luke 11:13; Acts: 1:8; Acts 2:4; Acts 2:32,33,39; Acts 8:12-17; Acts 10:44-46; Acts 19:2,5,6; Romans 10:9,10; 1 Corinthians 14:2-15; 1 Corinthians 14:18,27; Ephesians 6:18; and Jude 1:20. God bless you…

Fractured

By Donald KwongThen another angel came out of the temple and called in a loud voice to him who was sitting on the cloud, “Take your sickle and reap,

because the time to reap has come, for the harvest of the earth is ripe.” Revelation 14:15The book of Revelation has perplexed many people over the years. I am no Biblical scholar, but this verse resonates with me because

it ties in with John 4 where Jesus says, “I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest.” It is good that we live in the hope that we could be the people who see the Great Commission completed in our time. It is good that we are a chosen people who wish to see revival ushered into our communities.

These last few weeks have given me much to think about toward what God wants for us. I am certain that many of my friends wonder where I have been. Recently, I have been called out to be the church. I have been given the honor of spending a good deal of my free time with a mentor with ALS or Lou Gehrig’s Disease. As I talk with him and pray for him, I am witnessing my friend slowly lose his ability to move and talk. Even as I come to realize that this time is sacred, I still have a question. In my friend’s world, what does revival mean for him?

As I study the Word of God, I am reminded that revival starts within each of us. Through Jesus Christ we can have transformation. The transformation that is available comes from the continual sanctification through the Word and the power of the Spirit (Rom. 12:1,2; Phil. 1:6; 2:12,13; 3:20,21). Transformation is the product of our prayers for the courage and the grace of the Holy Spirit; standing fast with the Word in battle; not wavering, not compromising, not being overcome with fear, but steadfast in the cause of the truth.

For revival to come, allow God to reveal anything in your life that is blocking a move of God. Is there sin in your life? Repent. Do you have issues praying consistently? Pray. Do you need to spend more time in the Bible? Get into the Word to know God’s promises. Are you critical of others and have difficulty loving others? Love is not only an emotion but an action. Focus on God and his divine presence in your life. Ask God to guide you and before you know it you will be a vessel for revival.

Just like you and me, my friend has a hope and promise of restoration. The true restoration comes from my relationship with God. From that restoration, God’s love can move through me with grace, mercy, and power. I don’t need spiritual gifts, anointing, or blessings for my relationship with God; but all are a product of it. The truth is all I need is God. Revival will start from the overflow of God’s people who earnestly seek Him through prayer and repentance.

For some, spending time with one man and his family is counterintuitive to a revival spreading over a region. I, however, believe that this is what God is asking of me – to be the hands and feet of Jesus. John speaks to the hope of seeing Jesus again and becoming like him. “Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure.”

“Take your sickle and reap, because the time to reap has come, for the harvest of the earth is ripe.”

“Thoughts on a Harvest”

AGN - Pg. 18

Luis Palau, Jr. (born November 27, 1934) is an international Christian evangelist living in the Portland area in Oregon, United States. He was born in Argentina, began preaching at age 18, and moved to Portland in his mid-twenties to enroll in a graduate program in Biblical studies.

Palau had a long and close relationship with evangelist Billy Graham, and has been characterized by many as Graham’s successor. He is known for his strong appeal to young people, and for his efforts to reach out to secular leaders to address issues like homelessness.

Palau first heard Billy Graham on a radio broadcast from Portland, Oregon while still living in Argentina in 1950, and drew inspiration from him. He later worked for Graham as a Spanish translator and as an evangelist. In 1970, Graham contributed the seed money for Palau to start his own ministry, which he modeled after Graham’s.

Since then, Palau has held many large-scale evangelistic festivals and gatherings around the world.

Luis Palau

willing vesselsthat inspire true

Revival

EYE ON WORLD NEWS

AGN - Pg. 20

Genesis 45:27But when they told him everything Joseph had said to

them, and when he saw the carts Joseph had sent to carry him back, the spirit of their father Jacob revived.

Judges 15:19Then God opened up the hollow place in Lehi, and

water came out of it. When Samson drank, his strength returned and he revived. So the spring was called En

Hakkore, and it is still there in Lehi.

Allie Martin - OneNewsNow A well-known pastor feels there needs to be a fervency for prayer and passion for the lost among churches across America. In his new book The Power of Surrender: Breaking Through to Re-vival, Michael Catt, pastor of Sherwood Baptist Church and execu-tive producer of Facing the Giants and Fireproof, says many Chris-tians do not know what true revival is.

"Revival has always historically been centered around the Word of God and obedience to the Word of God," he points out. "It always is a movement of the Holy Spirit. It's always birthed in prayer, [and] typically there's a person that God uses -- whether it's a John Wesley, or a [George] Whitfield, or a Vance Havner, or whoever it might be, there is a person that God uses to spark within the Church a fire."

Catt says people are searching for answers, so the Church must be ready to answer them.

"Somebody told me the number-one question on Facebook after the earthquake in Chile was, 'Are these the last days?' I really think we are in a prime environment to say to a lost world that God is still in control, and when we are yielded to him as the Church, then the world will look at us and say, 'You know, they do have something I need,'" the pastor comments.

He reports that his church is witnessing the fruits of prayer and repentance among the congregation as people are being saved and church members are inviting their lost friends and unchurched neigh-bors.

EYE ON WORLD NEWS

Bishop sees revival among Ameican Anglicans

Can Christians define revival?

Allie Martin - OneNewsNow Clergy and lay delegates representing the Anglican District of Virginia (ADV) are having ongoing meetings to look at the future of Anglicanism in the United States. The ADV is holding its annual synod. The theme is "Living as Anglicans: Impacting the Present - Preparing the Future." Since its formation more than two years ago, the Anglican District of Virginia has grown to 31 congregations that left the Episcopal Church USA because of that denomination's liberal leanings. Bishop David Bena says the growth of the ADV shows there are many Anglicans who want to follow God's Word instead of following changing cultural trends. "We have about 9,000 people in the pews on a given Sunday, [but] what's being said is probably more important than numbers," he shares. "I see a real revival of Christianity going on across the continent, and it's having an effect in the Anglican realm as well." Bena says evangelism will be emphasized during the synod. "We have inherited a wonderful way of sharing the gospel in word and deed, some-times from a little more intellectual level," he says. "Our commission from God is to bring people into a dynamic relationship with Jesus Christ, and then to disciple them so that they can make new disciples."

French Christians prepare for Festival

Mission Network News - France (MNN) ― The Luis Palau Association plans to bring its "Festival" evangelistic model to France in May 2011 for the very first time. In a historic display of Christian unity, evangelical pas-tors representing an array of denominations recently gathered with Luis Palau in Marseilles to jumpstart preparations for the event. LPA expected a maximum of 120 pastors, but 200 showed up -- making this meeting the largest gathering of evangelical pastors in the Provence region of France for over 25 years.

The Festival will involve Christian musical and dance entertain-ment, professional extreme sports demonstrations, and multiple open-air presentations of the Gospel. It will be preceded by a "Season of Service" spearheaded by local churches, which will mobilize believers to serve the needs of their local communities. After the Festival, even more volunteers will be organized to fol-low up by completing more public service projects throughout the region.

"France is well-known for being at best somewhat indifferent to the Gospel," said LPA's Nigel Gordon. "However, Luis has always had a great heart for the French people, and the enthusiastic response of local pastors from across a wide denominational spec-trum is an answer to prayer and is very encouraging for the future.

"We therefore hope and expect that Marseilles/Provence Season of Service and Festival 2011 will be a huge success."

You can support LPA's work in France. Also, pray that God will prepare the hearts of unbelievers, evangelists, and the French church for revival.

By Rev. Austin Miles

Revival begins in the heart of a church. From there, God may employ mysterious ways to have it ignite. “Here is a purrfect example.”

The revival was to start in a decaying neighborhood in Staten Island, New York. The pastor had talked to this evangelist during a sectional minister’s conference. A revival was needed at his church but the church couldn’t afford the expenses involved since they had only a handful of diehards who still attended.

Since I lived in the Bureau of Queens, it would take only a subway ride, then a ferry boat to and from Staten Island, so no living expenses would be necessary. The church would have no fi nancial demands to meet, which met their budget perfectly.

We started on a Sunday morning, with a lot of free newspaper notices and publicity heralding the revival. After the Sunday morning service, the only response was from a little old woman with a sad face who said to me, “Young man, you talked so fast I couldn’t understand one word you were saying!”

Off to a great start, the same handful of worshipers gathered...no more...no less for the night service. Monday night was the same. After the Tuesday night service, I asked the pastor to walk around the outside of the church with me to pray and claim victory.

The next night, Wednesday, we were met with the same handful of people. Then, during prayer, The Lord put it in my heart to pray for a cat that was sick. “Oh no Lord,” I thought, “this will really fi nish it off.” God prompted me to describe the cat as more than a cat, it was family to somebody in the tiny congregation and the cat was going to die. Then, The Lord gave me the description of the cat...white with two black spots on it. I then prayed that The Lord would send His word and heal that cat (Psalm 107:20). There was absolutely no reaction. At the end of the service, I quietly left.

I had asked the pastor to meet me at the church earlier the next night, Thursday, so we could again do a prayer walk around it. I was surprised to see some traffi c as I approached the church...then more surprised to see that people were parking and going inside. The church was already fi lled, 30 minutes before starting time. “Well,” I thought, “fi nally all the advance publicity has kicked in and people are responding.”

As I started the service with a greeting, the little old woman in the front row, the same spot she sat for every service, got up and said, “I’ve got to speak...I’ve got to speak.” She always had what I thought was a sad look on her face, but now there was joy in it. I said, “Of course,” and extended my hand toward her.

She got up, faced the crowd that was now jammed into the church and said, “Last night you (glancing back at me) talked about a kitty cat that was sick and going to die...and that kitty cat was more than a cat, but family to someone in the church. Well...that was MY kitty cat...and you were right...she was sick and was going to die. And yes, she was more than a kitty cat to me...she was my family...the ONLY family I have. Well...I went home after the service and my kitty cat was running and jumping around and is just fi ne now. I was so excited that I called up everybody I knew and told them about this miracle that happened in this church.”

The revival turned out to be a huge success. A youth group was formed and many, many blessings and healings were documented along with countless people giving their hearts to Christ, which is what a revival is all about. The church was

fi lled from that time on. All due to a cat that started a revival and its owner who told the whole area about the marvelous thing God had done.

Dr. Cho, the famed Korean pastor once said to a minister’s conference in New York; “Shepherds do not make sheep...SHEEP make sheep.” A big AMEN to that!

“God works in mysterious ways, His wonders to perform.” From the poem, God Moves in Mysterious Ways. William Cowper (1731-1800)

The Cat That Started A

Revival!

documented along with countless people giving their hearts to Christ, which is what a revival is all about. The church was fi lled from that time on. All due to a cat that started a revival and its owner who told the whole area about the

marvelous thing God had done.

Dr. Cho, the famed Korean pastor once said to a minister’s conference in New York; “Shepherds do not make sheep...SHEEP make sheep.” A big AMEN to that!

“God works in mysterious ways, His wonders to perform.” From the poem, God Moves in Mysterious Ways. William Cowper (1731-1800)

Put Your Whole Self In

By Don Huntington

P utting my whole self into life means enabling the sense of “vast potential” that Philip Adams spoke about in this instruction’s key quote. Someone said that with only 20 minutes of study a day a person could become an authority on any topic in 20 years. If I could study Italian for 20 minutes each day, in two decades I could teach Italian on a University level. I think the greatest potential for most of us comes from that kind of consistency.

My expanded life requires the quality of steadiness from me. Even more than being able to do good, I need to be good for the people around me — to be the worker that my partner needs, the father that my children need, the husband that my wife needs, and the man that I myself need me to be.

Persistence promotes progress in each of these three areas. The demands of a moral and ethical life require that every day — from the time I get out of bed until I fall to sleep at night — that I strive with great consistency to be the man that I am supposed to be that day. By living on this elevated level over a suffi cient number of days, I will lay the basis for a successful life — exhibiting the characteristics and accomplishing goals that God would approve of.

I am aware, however, that being able to meet the demands of moral integrity requires of me a level of energy more powerful than mere determination. Nevertheless, I am fi nding integrity to be continually more effortless because every day my soul feels nourished by heavenly food; my feet again planted in a blessed place!

Many of us are inclined either to engage in a personal quest to acquire signifi cance by our own efforts or, at the other extreme, to live in a false passivity in which we are pushed back and forth by emotions and circumstances beyond choice or control. However, I was created to be neither God nor victim. I am actually designed to be a household instrument — a vessel that can be fi lled with the essence of eternity, as clear water might fi ll a pot.

It took me a long time to get this straight. My life kept getting fi lled and choked with the clutter and garbage of random existence. I could be either somewhat up or way down according to whatever mercies or failures had accidentally slopped into my life that day. From time to time I would open the spigot of goodness a crack — in reading something uplifting, talking with a friend, or watching a sunset. However, I often remained distracted from joy by the uproar of schedule, passions, or innate folly.

My feet are regularly walking down happy and wholesome paths these days. When I realize that negative thoughts or imaginations are coming into my mind, I give them up to Heaven. The moment I realize that I have done something inappropriate to the principle of light that is in me, I seek restitution and strive to receive a fresh infl ow of forgiveness that just destroys — completely pulverizes — any lingering effects of the darkness.

I am so grateful for the power every day to keep open a heavenly faucet and fi ll myself full of grace. I understand the words of James Weldon Johnson’s old prayer about coming “like empty pitchers to a full fountain.”

That’s the way I come!

That’s the kind of fountain I keep coming to.

It seems to me that people have vast

potential. Most people can do extraordinary

things if they have the confi dence or take the

risks. Yet most people don’t. They sit in front of

the TV and treat life as if it goes on forever.

–Philip Adams

Lead an Elevated Life

Try This1. What have you done in the past 24-hours to make yourself good for other people? 2. Determine to repeat your helpful behaviors more often. Determine to do something if your answer to the fi rst question came up blank. Don HuntingtonMotivational Speaker, Ghostwriter, Editor In Chief925-864-3263www.don.huntington@gmail.com www.donwriteforyou.comwww.110mag.com

AGN - Pg. 23

Small Town... BIG REVIVAL!

Mark 16:15,16a He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved.

t all started several months ago when Pastor Jerry Dellinger built a massive altar for the Lord at his ranch in Brentwood, CA, complete with electrical outlets and a 20 foot cross. He and his wife Teresa have hosted a few youth concerts on the property, but God had bigger things in store for this couple, that is obedient to God’s call in every way. More recently, Jerry Dellinger felt God urging him to bless the community and have a full church service at the ranch. He knew this was a calling to invite the whole community and all of his neighbors for a down-to-earth hoedown similar to the old style tent revivals that you would see in days past. He shared this vision with Senior Pastor Jerry Hanoum and the rest they say, ‘is history.’ Three large tents were erected and hundreds of hay bales were gathered and set in place. This was just the beginning of what God was about to do through the willing hearts of His people. ‘Build it and they will come,’ right? Well, that’s exactly what happened and not only did they come, but they were ministered to in song by Pastor Kim Moreno and the Sounds of Worship Praise Choir. After the worship music, Pastor Jerry Hanoum spoke to the masses teaching them the true meaning behind the ‘Day of Pentecost’ in the Bible and how we, as believers apply it daily to our lives. The message was powerful and well received as over 30 people that day were baptized, acknowledging Christ as their Savior. There was pure joy on the faces of all who were there as we sang and danced unto the Lord. Sticky Chicken and Ribs catered the event and the food was absolutely delicious. It was a day to remember as the community and body of Christ came together breaking bread in fellowship. “There is defi nitely a revival taking place in Contra Costa County,” said Pastor Will Byrns. “We have witnessed so many events taking place recently exuding unity amongst the churches like never before.” In May, there was the ‘Unity in the Body Celebration’ hosted by Mr. and Mrs. Derek Miller at the Antioch Church Family. “We witnessed several churches coming together in praise and worship breaking down cultural barriers,” said Mrs. Linda Miller. For the past four years we have seen the ‘Jesus Celebration’ bringing many different denominations together lifting up His name in praise and holding a community barbeque. The sleeping giant, (the church) is awakening and understanding that we cannot be divided anymore. In an increasing measure you are seeing the body of believers coming together in unity to reach the local population. In order to be effective in the community, the body of Christ must be united and cannot continue to isolate themselves from one another, or the community. The church has to be visible in the community so they can feel the love and see the love of Christ on display. The Apostle Paul addresses a divided body in 1 Corinthians 1:10 - [ Divisions in the Church ] I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought. We believe there will be more gatherings, many more baptisms, and an ever increasing move of the Holy Spirit at the Dellinger Ranch in the years to come. Look to the Mountain View Christian Center website for updates on future events at www.mountainviewbrentwood.com.

I

AGN - Pg. 24

Pictured right - Senior Pastor, Jerry Hanoum, Teresa and Jerry Dellinger.

The three people that God used to start a church in their living room just a few

short years ago, has now become a church on fi re touching the whole Delta Community with the Easter Eggstrava-ganza, Jesus Celebration and America’s Good News. Look for a new facility to be built soon with an event center seat-

ing up to 10,000.

Under clear blue skies Pastor Kim Moreno lead the ‘Sounds of

Worship Praise Choir.’ In addition to the Word, food and fellowship, over 30 people were baptized that day as God set the tone for revival.

Photos by Tim & Jane Vaughn

24 - America’ s Good News

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By Susan Holmes We live in a fallen world full of sin, destruction, disease and pain. But this world is also full of faith, hope and love. This is the story of Sean and Deana Halog. A living testimony of how God’s love and our faith in Him play out in our day to day lives. Though they are happily married now and trust in the Lord no matter what storms they face, Sean and Deana have overcome many trials and tribulations in order to claim victory over the battles they have endured. “This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.” Nehemiah 8:10Sean’s Transformation From an early age Sean did mostly what he wanted to do with no accountability to anyone or respect for authority. He was caught up for seventeen years with the use of marijuana which highly affected all of his choices in life. He was diagnosed with sugar diabetes at age twenty, but didn’t take it seriously. He continued to abuse his body with drug use and did not follow the doctor’s orders to monitor and maintain his glucose levels with the use of insulin. In 2004, Sean began to see the effects of the diabetes manifest in his body. He developed an eye disease called Diabetic Mellitus which can cause a wide range of problems that affect the eyes, in particular the retina, the lens, and the trabecular meshwork. This disease damages blood vessels in the eyes causing blurring of vision or permanent loss of vision by leaking blood in the eyes. As a result of the disease, Sean gradually lost his vision in one eye and then the other. He started a process of six eye surgery treatments to help reverse the effects of the disease. During this time in his life, Sean was also struggling from the disappointment and pain of a failed marriage of fi ve years. The good result of this marriage was two beautiful children, a daughter and a son. His younger brother had started attending church and kept inviting him to church with him, so one day Sean poured his heart out to him. His brother encouraged him to talk to God; so Sean started talking to Jesus and asking him what was the reason and purpose for his life. Sean remembers as if it were yesterday his fi rst experience of the love and presence of Almighty God. He was sitting on the couch in front of the television and he could hardly see the TV. He prayed and asked God if He was real, to help clear his eye sight. At that moment God opened his eyes for a brief second and he could see clearly, which totally amazed Sean. Then after a few minutes the symptoms returned. From that time on Sean knew that God was real and he went to have his last eye surgery on both eyes. God always gave him the best surgeons in the fi eld who were amazed when his vision returned to 20/20 in one eye, which the doctors did not expect to happen. Since then Sean has had no problems with one eye and the other eye very rarely has had any more problems. He knows it is by the hand of God that his eyes have been healed and restored. After the break-up of his fi rst marriage Sean moved in with a Christian couple and started attending Mountain View Christian Center with them on Sundays in 2005. He accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Savior and totally committed his heart and life to Him. Sean was experiencing true revival on the inside and it was manifesting in his life on the outside to those around him. Sean served God in any way asked of him in the church as he was growing in his new walk of faith. In January of 2007 Sean was hired for a job at a local refi nery and had to have a physical examination as part of the hiring process. The doctor giving the exam told him that he needed to go right away and see his regular doctor, who took lots of tests and sent him to a specialist. To add to the dilemma, Sean did not get hired for this new job opportunity. The specialist found that he was suffering from Chronic Kidney Disease which is also a result from sugar diabetes. His kidneys were only operating at about 8%; normal kidneys functions at 121%, which placed him in the end stage of “renal failure” another name for kidney failure. One can be placed on a kidney transplant donor list if the kidney is functioning at 30%, so Sean was put on the list immediately. He also had to start dialysis while waiting for God to miraculously provide either a new recreated kidney or a donor kidney. The doctors told Sean that because of his positive “O” blood type it could take up to 7 to 8 years to get a donor kidney. Sean continued to pray entrusting that God was in charge of his life and that His perfect will would be accomplished on earth as it is in Heaven. Deana’s Life Before Sean Deana described herself in her earlier years as living the life of a homebody. She noted that she was pretty low key and not the rebellious type that needed to seek an escape. Deana exclaimed, “I was not into drug use at all as a result of seeing my sister go through so much drama with her drug abuse; drugs scared me.” Deana gave her life to Jesus Christ in 2001. She then lived with her sister and family (brother in law, 2 children & Granny) with her three children in Brentwood as a result of a divorce from marrying a man that was not a good match for her, as they were unequally yoked. The entire family started attending Mountain View Christian Center in 2005, where they all excelled in the knowledge of the grace and mercy of Jesus through the Written Word of God, the Bible. The Two Become One As told, Sean and Deana both started to attend the same church in 2005 which set the stage for what was about to take place. They stayed busy growing in their relationship with Jesus Christ and ignoring a strange magnetic draw to one another. They crossed paths with each other at church repeatedly and developed a good working relationship, but each stayed focused on their children and areas of service to the Lord. Both were praying for God to send them His hand-picked spouse who was created for them before the foundation of the earth perfectly formed in their mother’s womb to complete them. Both stayed faithful to their individual walk of faith throughout the daily ups and downs that go hand in hand with being a follower of Christ. Then on July 18, 2008 it was as if the Holy Spirit opened both their eyes to each other and removed a veil that was clouding their vision. It was as if they knew each other their whole lives; but also as if they had never seen each other before, allowing them to understand within a moment’s time, that God had created them for one another and that He was calling them together for His purposes and plans. They say that it was as if they were both computers that needed to be restored and revived, waiting to be networked together. When the Holy Spirit downloaded His software into both of them at the same time, their software was found to be totally compatible. As they shared their hearts, visions and dreams with each other they knew that they were destined to become one in marriage. As wonderful and amazing the birth of this union was, neither were aware of the depth of the miraculous plans that God was unfolding as they each took steps of faith together... and so the wedding plans began! Sean and Deana Halog were married on July 18, 2009 in celebration of the one year anniversary from the day that each knew in their heart that God was drawing them together by a divine appointment from His throne in Heaven. God provided a beautiful, elegant wedding for them at the Hanoum Estate in Oakley, California. It is amazing how the Bible verse in Genesis 2:23-24: “…She is now bone of my bone and fl esh of my fl esh…and the two shall become one fl esh” which was a part of their wedding ceremony, would truly become the essence of their match made in Heaven.

A MATCH MADE INHeavenThe story of Sean and Deana Halog – “She is now bone of my bones & fl esh of my fl esh!”

Every step they took was a step of faith trusting that God was in complete control. In spite of the consistent nagging of negative words to them like; “What are you doing, he is going to die? Why are you doing this… he has a death sentence?”, they trusted in God and His plan for them. In faith… bone of my bones, fl esh of my fl esh Each challenging word whether given to them by doctors or people, they countered by standing in faith together that God was in charge and had a wonderful plan for their lives. They chose to trust the divine leading of the Holy Spirit. God also provided His awesome support system from family and the church body to come alongside of them when encouragement was needed to trust in God. Prayer became the banner that was being lifted high over their heads and the light that revealed their each and every footstep. After their marriage union they both continued to wait, believing in faith that God would provide a donor kidney or a miraculous healing. Throughout this time, Deana would always jokingly announce that she would be the one to give her husband one of her kidneys. She consistently had a gift of faith given to her from God that although Sean was given a death sentence from the doctors, God was going to perform a miracle and that Sean would live and not die! She also knew beyond a shadow of doubt that God had a wonderful plan for both of their lives together. It was as if God was the orchestrator of their relationship from Heaven and each of them were two musical notes waiting to become a masterful duet called, “A Match Made In Heaven!” Both Sean and Deana had a glorious peace that surpasses all understanding in their hearts that would out-weigh their common reasoning. One day the Holy Spirit started speaking to Deana’s heart that they needed to investigate about fi nding a kidney for Sean from a living donor. At fi rst Sean was kind of resistant to this but then he leaned into Deana and said that he just couldn’t continue going on this way. He was ready to research the process of fi nding a living donor. This was in October of 2009. The very next day they contacted UCSF (University of California, San Francisco Medical Center) who specializes in organ transplants. Sean already had his specialist team of doctors there and was on their kidney donor list. UCSF sent them fi ve living donor application packets to start the process of fi nding one out of the fi ve that would be a match for Sean. When Deana opened the packet she immediately started to fi ll out the fi rst one, with no medical insurance but moving with the fl ow from Heaven. She sent her packet in and in November of 2009 they called her in for testing. The fi rst set of tests showed that Deana also had positive “O” blood type, so she was called in for more blood tests to see if their blood was compatible to dwell together. Sean and Deana were told by the doctors that when their blood was put together in the dish under the microscope their blood matched and blended instantly. They like to say that their blood liked each other and could live together and fl ow as one. Therefore, their wedding scripture “she is now bone of bones and fl esh of my fl esh” had truly become a reality! Once again Deana was called in for more testing to see if she was healthy enough to donate her kidney to her husband. She was given the seal of approval in January of 2010 and the kidney transplant surgery plans began! The doctors started testing Sean to see if he was physically able to survive surgery. Several road blocks were thrown into the mix about Sean’s heart being healthy enough for such an invasive surgery as a kidney transplant. Sean and Deana began to fi ght the good fi ght of faith in prayer to get victory over each area that questioned his health. When they got victory over the heart issues, Sean was admitted into the hospital for internal bleeding from an endoscopic procedure. When admitted he only had two pints of blood left in his body. The human body needs twelve pints of blood to function. Sean had to have an emergency blood transfusion of six pints of blood which Sean and Deana did not want because adding someone else’s blood into his body could mess up their perfect blood match. They

Cont. on page 31

Sean and Deana - A living testimony for all to see... Our God is mighty to save!

Sean and Deana Halog with their children - Left to right, Jordan, Zachary, Kayla, Chloe and Noa.

Photos - Juanita Dellinger

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Rick Fuller, Director 925.207.7240

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Vallejo, 94590 707.553.8192 Food, Clothing, Shelter - Transitional Living

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Share your love with a child.

AGN - Pg. 30

Psalm 85:6Will you not revive us again,

that your people may rejoice in you?

Hosea 6:2After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will re-

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knew he needed the blood to live so they prayed over each pint of blood as it went into Sean’s veins, trusting it to be fi ltered by the precious blood of Jesus. Deana told Sean, “You’re going to die, but you’re not going to die today!”; in which he did to proclaim the miraculous power of God! As a result from this incident each of them had to be retested to see if their blood was still compatible enough to dwell together. The tests revealed that their blood was still a perfect match made in Heaven, so the surgery date was set for June 11th at UCSF. A special prayer meeting was called at church where the family of God came together to join Sean and Deana in faith for God to be in complete control of every detail of the kidney transplant surgery. They walked into the hospital at 5:20 am accompanied by family and friends with full confi dence in God’s loving faithfulness and with a joyful anticipation. It was almost like everyone was joyfully awaiting the miracle of new birth! Deana had experienced the pain and joy of giving birth to her three beautiful children and knew that she had been created to give this part of herself to Sean so that his physical body could be restored to new life. Readying herself for the surgery process, she jokingly said as they were going up stairs, “Let’s get on with this; let’s have this baby!” They were placed side by side in two separate operating rooms with two surgical teams. Deana’s surgery started fi rst to remove her kidney, while Sean was prepared to receive the gift of life from his wife. Both procedures went smoothly without any hindrances or complications. Sean’s doctor repeatedly said that Deana’s kidney was good and beautiful. He said that when he hooked her kidney up in Sean and allowed the blood to fl ow through his vein into it, it immediately went to work and his body responded to it by urinating to eliminate the toxic wastes from his body. This was an awesome event because Sean had been unable to expel the wastes from his body for some time. Within the fi rst twenty-four hours Sean lost twenty-four pounds of toxins through urination. It was the fi nal confi rmation of the Word of God, “Then Adam said, she is now bone of my bones and fl esh of my fl esh… and the two shall become one.” The doctors only had to give Sean the least amount of anti-rejection medication possible because of how well their bodies matched. God had truly made them one! Sean was up out of his hospital bed walking down the hall to Deana’s room within hours and busy texting his family. Both of them were released from the hospital to come home on the Monday following the surgery. At their fi rst doctor’s check-up just fi ve days after the surgery, they were told that each one of their kidneys were operating at a rate of at least 88% or higher. The operating rate for two normal kidneys to function is 80% - 121%. God had anointed each one of Deana’s kidneys to do the same work as two! The doctors were amazed that Deana was up and accompanying Sean to his doctor appointments so soon. Deana’s fi rst appointment showed that her blood levels were totally normal and she was released from her doctors, not to return until six months from the surgery, along with annual check-ups. At his second appointment Sean’s blood levels were totally normal, and he has not had to have any more dialysis as the doctors removed all catheters that had been surgically implanted in his body for this procedure. The doctors continue to be amazed at the rapid rate of Sean’s healing from this procedure. Sean, Deana and their children are back at church worshipping together and giving thanks to God for His wonderful handiwork in their lives as it is displayed for others to witness. They have been totally revived, restored and healed by the love of God working through man on their behalf. They glow and radiate from their love for each other and from the very presence of a living God whom they both love and serve. God has put a new song of praise in their hearts for the world to hear and join with them to make a symphony of praise to the faithful great I AM. This song is called, “A Match Made In Heaven!”

A Match Made In Heaven cont.